The urban regeneration strategies and investment opportunities of three European cities — Blackpool, Porto, and Ostrava — were showcased during a dedicated session at the HTL Connection Tent. Nick Gerrard (Blackpool Council), Rui Moreira (Mayor of Porto), and Andrej Michalik (City Architect and Director of MAPPA) presented their respective city’s ambitions to attract international investors through large-scale tourism, leisure, and mixed-use developments.
Blackpool: Reinventing the UK’s entertainment capital
Nick Gerrard, Director of Blackpool’s Regeneration Program, opened with a bold statement: “Blackpool is the most popular tourism resort in the UK.” With over 23 million annual visits and a £1.7 billion visitor economy, Blackpool is focused on extending its seasonality and increasing overnight stays.
Nick Gerrard detailed a £2 billion regeneration program, highlighting new hotels, the upgraded conference center hosting 7,000 delegates, and a university campus. The centerpiece is Blackpool Central, a nine-hectare site adjacent to Blackpool Tower: “You could not have a site that is better located” as Nick Gerrard highlighted.
Ready for immediate development, the site has outline planning permission and a new 1,300-space car park. Nick Gerrard specified the ambition: “When I say we’re looking for world-class leisure, I mean world-class.” Planned attractions include the UK’s largest flying theater and high-end hotels.
Beyond tourism, Blackpool is leveraging its location and infrastructure for data centers, benefiting from transatlantic cable connectivity and renewable energy: “Whilst tourism is the lifeblood of Blackpool, it’s not the only opportunity.” With over £200 million in government backing, Gerrard concluded: “Blackpool is a serious investment location.”
Porto: A model of sustainable urban growth
Rui Moreira, Mayor of Porto, spoke next, showcasing Porto’s decade-long transformation. “Twelve years ago, Porto was Europe’s best-kept secret,” he recalled. Today, the city attracts significant foreign direct investment, particularly in IT, creating 23,000 high skilled jobs — “10% of the city’s population.”
Porto focused on public space regeneration: “For every euro we invested, the private sector brought 17 to 20.” This strategy eliminated city debt, allowing Porto to offer low-cost utilities and public transport: “Zero debt means we can provide our citizens with very cheap electricity and almost free public transport.”
Tourism growth, up to 16 million passengers annually at the airport, is carefully managed: “Whatever we do, it’s not for tourists, it’s for everyone.” Rui Moreira emphasized a balanced model combining culture, congress tourism, and resident well-being.
Ostrava: Industrial legacy, cultural future
Ondrej Vyslouzil, City Architect and Director of MAPPA, presented a Central European city reinventing itself. “Ostrava is not only a beautiful city with a range of mountains, but also has industry in its DNA,” he began, but highlighted its shift to a knowledge and culture-driven economy.
Located near Poland and Slovakia, Ostrava boasts access to a 10-million-strong market within 120 km. Cultural events like Colors of Ostrava and Beats for Love position it as a vibrant destination.
Key flagship projects include Steven Holl’s concert hall and the award-winning Ostrava City Gallery. Ondrej Vyslouzil emphasized: “We are well prepared to collaborate with investors.” Prime sites near universities, digital hubs, and the historic center are available for mixed-use developments.
“We will open calls soon,” he concluded, inviting stakeholders to discover Ostrava during upcoming architectural festivals.
Join us at the Hospitality Operator Forum on June 12 for even more expert insights on similar topics.
